Police chief checks agencies and issues permits for devices

(a) The chief of police, upon application by an agency, shall determine that the possession, discharge, use, and transportation of a device is necessary due to the nature of the service or services performed by the agency. The chief of police shall have the sole authority to determine the specific service or services for which there is a necessity for the use of a device. The device shall be used only in connection with the performance of the authorized service or services. (b) The chief of police shall issue a permit to the individual employee only upon finding that the employee: (1) Is of good moral character; (2) Is at least eighteen years of age; (3) Has not been convicted in this State or elsewhere of a crime of violence or of the illegal use, possession or sale of narcotics; and (4) Has not been adjudged insane. The agency shall cooperate in providing all such evidence as to fitness of the employee as may be required by the chief of police in making the foregoing findings. The permit furnished by the chief of police shall be carried on the employee’s person whenever the employee is in possession of a device. (c) Upon making a determination under subsections (a) and (b) favorable to the requesting agency, the chief of police shall issue to the agency a permit authorizing it to purchase, own, and control the device or devices listed. A copy of the permit shall be retained on file at the police department.